Behaviourist approach

• As a learning theory, behaviourists argue that behaviour is learnt through experiences and interactions with the environment.
• Stimulus-response mechanisms:

  • Behaviourists argue it is only possible to scientifically investigate what can be directly observed and measured. This includes what you do to something and the resulting behaviour.
• Rejection of mental processes:

  • As the mind cannot be directly observed , behaviourists argue it is a 'black box' not suitable for scientific study.
• Environmental determinism:

  • Behaviour is the result of experience. They believe that behaviour can be predicted and controlled by the manipulation of the environment.
• Classical conditioning is learning by association. This was investigated by Ivan Pavlov, who conditioned his dog to salivate at the sound of footsteps and a metronome.
• Operant conditioning is learning by reinforcement. Vicarious reinforcement (positive) is when the behaviour of the individual is rewarded, and negative reinforcement is when they are punished.
• Skinner and negative reinforcement:

  • Skinner modified his box to give an electric shocks through cage wires. When the mouse pushed the lever, the shock stopped.
• Strengths of the behaviourist approach:

  • Uses scientific approaches - It studies objectively observable and measurable stimulus-response mechanisms. This can establish a cause and effect relationship through highly controlled lab experiments that manipulate variables systematically. Standardised procedures allows for replication, making the findings more valid and not due to chance.
• Strengths of the behaviourist approach:

  • Practical applications - These include counter-conditioning treatments, token economy in prisons and conditioning techniques used for classroom management. Effectiveness of these applications helps reduce maladaptive behaviour and suggests the behaviourist principles they are based on are valid.
• Limitations of the behaviourist approach:

  • Generalisability - Pavlov and Skinner's work can not be applied to humans due to the complex social and cultural forces influencing human behaviour. Humans also possess greater intelligence, so stimulus-response mechanisms may not adequately explain human behaviour.
• Limitations of the behaviourist approach:

  • Ethical issues - Studies conducted through the use of animals has been deemed unethical when applied to humans. Using these techniques to alter human behaviour may be viewed as manipulative with potential harmful effects, which are seen being used in gambling companies use of variable ratio reinforcement which leads to highly compulsive behaviour.
• Limitations of the behaviourist approach:

  • Reductionist explanation - Human behaviour is too complex to be due to reinforcement alone as other factors also influence it.